Monthly Musings from Moors Meadow Garden

 

I am very pleased to say that I have almost finished the pruning including having a bash at some of the big old Bramley apple trees, they usually get left until last and then I often find I don't have time but this year I have taken almost a third off the height of some. It has certainly improved the views from the terrace, also know as our dining room, often in summer garden visitors may wander by and see us devouring all manner of delicious delicacies all organically grown in our veg and fruit gardensÂ…but enough of the dreaming and back to the serious business of pruning. A few days ago a friend rang to ask about how to prune apple trees, simple put you take out the dead, diseased and touching branches and shape it like a bowl so air can get into the middle. Today I had a phone call to ask about pruning nectarines, for anyone who is wondering, yes they will fruit outside but it is best, with the use of an artists paint brush, to give them a helping hand with pollination, we had some lovely peaches and apricots last year.

 

I am often asked if I have thought about doing talks or running gardening classes and it is in my mind for the future. At the moment any garden visitors of groups or individuals are welcome to any advice I can give.

 

Towards the end of February I expect I will have to strim all the paths ready for opening on 1st. March as I doubt it will be dry enough to mow with the tractor. I will also need to sort out all the plants for sale and do general tidying and shred all the prunings to put on paths and do some planting out andÂ…phew I'm tired just thinking about it so I'll just go and put my feet up for five minutes before I start!

 

Almost forgot to tell you that not only do we have primroses and daffodils out but the bluebells are up and while I was pruning today a bee came and buzzed at me.

 

Plant of the month; Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill'

 

This evergreen shrub is native to the Himalayas and has leathery leaves and small highly scented soft pink flowers growing in clusters. They prefer a cool sheltered grow to 6-9ft. (2-3m) high and a spread of 5ft. (1.5m). With 50 Daphne's both woodland in gritty, humus-rich soil and do not like root disturbance. They may grow to 6-9ft. (2-3m) high and a spread of 5ft. (1.5m). With 50 Daphne's both deciduous and evergreen from Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia there is plenty to choose from and may be suitable from woodlands to rock gardens and can be any thing from 8ins (20cm) to over 12ft (3.5m)

 

Gardeners dictionary;

 

Humus - the organic content of soil, in nature it is mostly fallen leaves, twigs, bark and dead roots. It can be enriched by adding manure, compost, dead leaves and composted sawdust. Not peat please.

 

Temperate - generally speaking it refers to climates without extremes of heat or cold.